Opinion: Rude millennials? Feh. How about rude seniors?

Grumpy old men Waldorf and Statler from the Muppets. "It seems that the restrictions of aging — more aches, more chronic illness, more limitations — have embittered many," writes Ronald Macfarlane.Just For Laughs

Millennials have a bad reputation, but observation tells me that we seniors are quicker to exercise presumed entitlement.

Attending a public event recently, I witnessed an elderly gentleman, cane in hand, come across an umbrella that blocked his passage ever so slightly. His response was to use his cane to whack the offending article two rows away.

Such behaviour is symptomatic of an attitude I have witnessed all too often when around members of my own generation. Call it Aggressive Aged Syndrome.

Of all the many demographic groups with which I am associated, my membership in the senior citizen category disturbs me most. Not that I regret aging; faced with the alternative, it is a prudent choice. It is my fellow seniors who annoy and embarrass me.

While we should be an example of propriety, many of us fail miserably to model good citizenship. Millennials have a bad reputation, but observation tells me that we seniors are quicker to exercise presumed entitlement.

Which age group jumps to mind if you picture someone tasting handfuls of grapes in the grocery aisle? While an accomplished sommelier can judge wine with a single taste, the discerning senior seems to need at least two handfuls to judge the grape. Even worse, the default decision for the gulping seniors seems to be that the produce is not up to scratch. They walk away empty handed, but smiling.

Staying in the grocery store, think of the last time you were in the “express” line and found a basketful of groceries preceding you and your three items. To whom did that basket belong? A senior, right? Point this out to the offender and you will quickly be instructed on the wisdom of minding your own business.

Fast food restaurants seem to have largely removed napkins and condiments from the self-serve areas. This is not attributable to the usual suspects, like teens, but to freeloading seniors. I cannot count the number of times I have watched grey-headed seniors pack their pockets with paper napkins and extra cream, milk and sugar. As they usually leave in a recent-model vehicle, these thefts do not appear motivated by need. What explains this but a simple attitude of entitlement for having lived long?

And don’t get me started about driving. There again, I am astonished by the selfishness seniors exhibit. Many of them just shouldn’t be behind the wheel any longer. Presumably they would be first to admonish a younger driver, quite correctly, for distracted driving, but they refuse to abandon the car when they are no longer safe on the road. The frequency with which one hears of middle-aged children telling their parents they should no longer drive exhibits the selfish philosophy of my generation. They know they are not sufficiently alert, but persevere because it is convenient. It seems their freedom is more important to them than others’ safety.

This entitlement sometimes spills into personal interactions. Too often the default response to a misunderstanding with wait staff or front-line service personnel is verbal aggression. Perhaps the misunderstandings are more frequent now, as we do not express ourselves or our needs as clearly as we once did. Our frustration, in this case with ourselves, does not grant any right to treat others disrespectfully.

It seems that the restrictions of aging — more aches, more chronic illness, more limitations — have embittered many. To be embittered is to ignore the extreme luck of living in an era of longer life expectancy. Opposed to the downsides are the advantages of seeing even more marvellous inventions, seeing grandchildren mature, planning new experiences, taking up hobbies or learning different things.

The progressives in our society demand the calling out of those who display any of the “isms” currently in disrepute.

Seniors, let us assume the responsibility of calling out those of our generation who believe that age has bestowed special privileges upon them.

Ronald Macfarlane is a retired school principal. He lives in Châteauguay.

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